The Septuagint of Proverbs (LXX-Prov) - introduction, interpretation and reception

podstawowy

TMA_W05

TMA_U02

TMA_U04

Level: Advanced.

Aims: The aim of the lecture is to present the most recent studies on the Greek tradition of the Book of Proverbs as found in the Septuagint (LXX-Prov). It will present the text of the Septuagint in relation to the Hebrew (Masoretic) Text of the Book, in the light of the ancient textual witnesses currently available. Due to this necessity, the lecture will focus firstly on the text of the Greek Book, on the attempt to find its initial version, which is associated with its detailed analysis.

The second aim of the lecture is also to present the method of comparative analysis between the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Old Testament. The lecture thus will be concentrated on the analysis of the chosen texts and will try to draw conclusions regarding their nature.

Preliminary requirements: Basic knowledge of ancient languages (Greek and Hebrew).

The scope of complications regarding the text of the Greek Book of Proverbs is so great, and there is a lack of a good critical edition of its Greek text (even in the Göttingen series), that undertaking the matter of LXX-Prov will firstly require performing an in-depth check of its nuances and history, comparing the differences between manuscripts, and attempting to answer the question regarding the so-called Old Greek text, possibly being the initial text of the Book of Proverbs, which was written by the translator of the LXX (because only such a text could be a subject of comparative studies between the Greek translation and the original Hebrew version, and only on such a text it could be possible to study its specifics, nature, the technique of the translator’s work, theology, and its various other aspects).

The merits:

1. Introduction to the subject.

2. Introduction to the Septuagint: its nature and textual complexities.

3. Introduction to the Book of Proverbs, in both – Hebrew and Greek – traditions.

4. Presentation of the comparative analysis method (between the Hebrew and Greek texts of the OT).

5. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (I)

6. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (II)

7. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (III)

8. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (IV)

9. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (V)

10. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (VI)

11. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (VII)

12. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (VIII)

13. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (IX)

14. Comparative analysis of the chosen texts of the LXX-Prov (X)

15. Conclusions.

Chosen bibliography:

- B. STRZAŁKOWSKA, Księga Przysłów 1–9 w Septuagincie. Analiza „dodatków” i „braków” w zestawieniu z Tekstem Masoreckim w świetle starożytnych świadectw tekstualnych [Book of Proverbs 1–9 in the Septuagint. Analysis of “additions” and “omissions” in comparison with the Masoretic Text in the light of ancient textual witnesses], Rozprawy i Studia Biblijne 48, Warsaw 2017.

- Proverbs, red. J. de WAARD, Biblia Hebraica Quinta Editione cum Apparatu Critico Novis Curis Elaborato 17, Deustsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart 2008.

- Septuainta. Id est Vetus Testamentum graece iuxta LXX interpretes, red. A. RAHLFS, R. HANHART, Deutsche Bibelgessellschaft, Stuttgart 2006.

- A. RAHLFS, Verzeichnis der griechischen Handschriften des Alten Testaments, Mitteilungen des Septuaginta-Unternehmens 2; Berlin 1914; por. Offizielles Verzeichnis der Rahlfs-Sigeln. Herausgegeben vom Septuaginta-Unternehmen der Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, Göttingen 2012.

- Vetus Testamentum Graecum cum Variis Lectionibus, t. III.2: Παροιμιαι Σαλωμωντος, Εκκλησιαστης, Ασμα, red. R. HOLMES, J. PARSONS, Oxonii E Typ. Clarendoniano 1822.

- F. FIELD, Origenis Hexaplorum que supresunt; sive veterum interpretum graecorum in totum Vetus Testamentum fragmenta, t. II: Proverbia, Oxford 1875, s. 307-376

- A.M. CERIANI, Monumenta sacra et profana ex codicibus praesertim Bibliothecae Ambrosianae, t. VII: Codex Syro-hexaplaris Ambrosianis, Typis et Impensis Bibliothecae Ambrosianae, Mediolan 1874

- M M. FOX, Proverbs – An Eclectic Edition With Introduction and Textual Commentary, The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Edition 1, SBL, Atlanta 2015

- La Bible d’Alexandrie 17: Les Proverbes. Traduction du texte grec de la Septante, Introduction et notes, D.-M. d’HAMONVILLE (przy współpracy É. DUMOUCHET), Les Éditions du CERF, Paris 2000

- J. COOK, The Septuagint of Proverbs. Jewish and/or Hellenistic Proverbs? Concerning the Hellenistic Colouring of LXX Proverbs, VT.Suppl. LXIX, Brill, Leiden-New York-Köln 1997.

- C. MORO, Il testo greco di “Proverbi” in Clemente Alessandrino, Annali di Studi Religiosi 2/2001, s. 391-437

- G. JÄGER, Observationes in Proverbiorum Salomonis Versionem Alexandrinam, Meldorf-Lipsk 1788

- P. de LAGARDE, Anmerkungen zur griechichen Übersetzung der Proverbien, Leipzig 1863

- J. BAUMGARTNER, Étude critique sue ‘état du texte du Livre des Proverbes. D’après les principales traductions anciennes. Thèse présentée a la Faculté de Philosophie de l’Université de Leipzig pour le doctorat, Leipzig 1890

- G. MEZZACASA, Il Libro dei Proverbi di Salomone. Studio Critico sulle aggiunte Greco-Alessandrine, Scripta Pontificii Instituti Biblici, PIB, Roma 1913

- G. GERLEMAN, Studiesin the Septuagint. III: Proverbs, Lunds Universitets Årsskrift, C.W.K. Gleerup, Lund 1956.

- Other publications recommended during the lectures.

Methods of evaluation:

Presence on lectures.

A short paper on a chosen verse of the Book of Proverbs – student has to analyze the chosen verse using the comparative analysis method presented during the lectures.